Healthy Communities • YMCA Global Initatives
Local knowledge=global empowerment: YMCA International's Global Learning Forum
21 July 2016 - by June Findlay
On a sunny afternoon inside the Central YMCA earlier this week, a group of people from all walks of life stood in scattered formation on a foundation of colourful blankets. Some of these coverings looked as ordinary as any comforter or woven throw you would find in your home, while others had messages depicting First Nations history and declarations of affirmation. As the group changed places, read various stories and testimonies, and removed themselves from the blankets to depict various events in First Nations and Canadian history, there was one thing for certain: they were learning more about themselves and their relationships with others at home and abroad.
Members and friends of the YMCA’s Global Awareness Team, comprised of YMCA staff who are passionate about global initiatives and issues, held the blanket exercise as part of the Global Initiatives Learning Forum, where issues close to the YMCA’s work in the global community are discussed and implemented into future initiatives. This year, the forum focused on two main issues that have had a profound effect in Canada and the global community: the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Final Report and recommendations.
The day was full of knowledge sharing, discussion, and reflection, thanks to keynote speakers Shannon Kindornay (adjunct research professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University), and Jennifer Henry (executive director of KAIROS) — as well as international youth exchange participants Cesar, Stephanie, and Santiago, and Elder Dr. Bob Phillips, Kathleen Sydney, and Peter Haresnape who led the group in the impactful blanket exercise.
The discussion after the blanket exercise seemed to bring out many emotions, reflections, and calls for action in the relationships between Canadians and First Nations peoples. “How do we take this history and teach the next generation about it to make sure that it doesn’t happen again?” asked Esperanza Monsalve, general manager of international programs at the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “How do we go beyond talking and make a reality out of this?”
The message of learning from history clearly got through to those taking part. “I immigrated to Canada 25 years ago, and had never really learned about First Nations history,” one participated said. “This has helped me to be more interested in that.” Another added that the event “reminds me of my privilege in being able to ‘get ahead,’ while those in the First Nations community are consistently held back.”
Click here for more stories about the YMCA’s work in the global community.
Members and friends of the YMCA’s Global Awareness Team, comprised of YMCA staff who are passionate about global initiatives and issues, held the blanket exercise as part of the Global Initiatives Learning Forum, where issues close to the YMCA’s work in the global community are discussed and implemented into future initiatives. This year, the forum focused on two main issues that have had a profound effect in Canada and the global community: the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Final Report and recommendations.The day was full of knowledge sharing, discussion, and reflection, thanks to keynote speakers Shannon Kindornay (adjunct research professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University), and Jennifer Henry (executive director of KAIROS) — as well as international youth exchange participants Cesar, Stephanie, and Santiago, and Elder Dr. Bob Phillips, Kathleen Sydney, and Peter Haresnape who led the group in the impactful blanket exercise.
The discussion after the blanket exercise seemed to bring out many emotions, reflections, and calls for action in the relationships between Canadians and First Nations peoples. “How do we take this history and teach the next generation about it to make sure that it doesn’t happen again?” asked Esperanza Monsalve, general manager of international programs at the YMCA of Greater Toronto. “How do we go beyond talking and make a reality out of this?”
The message of learning from history clearly got through to those taking part. “I immigrated to Canada 25 years ago, and had never really learned about First Nations history,” one participated said. “This has helped me to be more interested in that.” Another added that the event “reminds me of my privilege in being able to ‘get ahead,’ while those in the First Nations community are consistently held back.”Click here for more stories about the YMCA’s work in the global community.
